by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY - Before the Miami Heat's regular-season revenge was even over, you just knew the narrative that surrounds the Oklahoma City Thunder would be like the wind that comes sweeping down the plain.

Russell Westbrook was finally back from his latest knee surgery, and Kevin Durant suddenly was struggling in a 103-81 loss at Chesapeake Energy Arena that was some of the best NBA action you'll find in the middle of February. Still, correlations about the Thunder's dynamic duo would be made by fans and some media because, well, that's how it's been since these two young talents (yes, they're still young) joined forces in 2008.

People forget the Thunder were 21-4 with Westbrook in tow before his 27-game absence began on Dec. 27. But they also will forget the rustiness that came with this reunion when Oklahoma City gets back on its winning ways down this pivotal home stretch. Even with Westbrook's return, this was about the Heat and where they're headed - more specifically, where LeBron James, Dwyane Wade are about to take them.

This was one of those classic Big Three kind of nights, with James, Wade and Chris Bosh combining for 81 points and the leader of this lot making it abundantly clear that the MVP race isn't over just yet. Anyone who thinks James, who had 33 points, seven rebounds and four steals, is ready to roll over and yield what could be his fifth Maurice Podoloff Trophy simply hasn't been paying attention. There's no better sign of that than his recent comments about a hypothetical NBA Mount Rushmore and who should be on it.

There's no better way to start proving that, as James said, he will eventually be among the game's top four players of all time than by winning a fifth MVP crown. James would become one of four players all time to reach that mark (the others being Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Bill Russell), all while maintaining his spot above the present-day mountain of this league if the Heat are able to three-peat.

As Wade would say afterward, this MVP thing ain't over yet. And he would have to say it on James' behalf. James didn't speak to the media because of a nose injury that took him out midway through the fourth quarter and left him with cotton swabs shoved up each of his nostrils.

"Oh (the race) is not decided," said Wade, who had 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. "I don't think it was a message (to Durant). That's LeBron James being LeBron James. ... No, the MVP race is a long, long ways from over."

Said Bosh, who noted these teams were now even after the Thunder dominated the Heat on their home floor back on Jan. 29, "We know what (James) is capable of. And when he's playing at a high level like that, we feel like we have an extremely good chance of winning a championship. But it's a work in progress. We have to stay on him to continue to play at a high level. He's just playing good, consistent basketball right now."

"(Finishing that dunk) takes more than resolve," said Bosh, who 24 points and eight rebounds. "It takes extreme athleticism and strength. I mean that was Serge Ibaka going up with him. He got hit in the face, and then he goes up and still finishes. But he's the best, biggest, strongest athlete in the league. Only he can do that."

The Thunder have their elite athletes and special talents too, though, and history tells us that they'll find their way in the coming weeks. Coming back off of an injury after nearly two months off is always tough enough, let alone against the defending champions who are clearly still capable of playing elite defense.

"I thought Russell looked just as explosive as he always has," Wade said. "Obviously he's been out for a while, so it's going to take time to get that rhythm back, that chemistry, because everything has been having Kevin Durant and Reggie Jackson doing a lot, but they will get that rhythm back. I thought he individually, he looked great.

"Yeah, it's tough (to return against the Heat). We're an Eastern Conference team where we really focus on halfcourt defense, there's not much of an open game. There's moments when it's open, but we try to make you see all five defenders, so for that to be your first game back it just wears on your body a little bit. Like I said, he's going to continue to get better. Like I said, he had moments when it was like, 'Man, this guy. Did he miss any time?' "

As for the Heat, who are now 1½ games behind the Indiana Pacers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and who have won seven of their past eight and 12 of their past 15 games? It's starting to feel like their time may not be over just yet.

"You can see the resolve, you can see the chemistry," Wade said. "You can see a team that's gearing up for the second half of the season as well and understands go-time."